Prince William has returned to Britain after his tour of duty in the Falkland Islands and will be reunited with his wife this afternoon. He landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning after seven weeks away and he is expected to see Kate at Kensington Palace this afternoon.The Duke of Cambridge will now be on leave for a few days before he resumes his duties as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.

Royal reporters right now are betting their money that the prior commitment is prob a pre-planned mini holiday. From what I read Wills is scheduled to have some time off then back to work along with royal duties.

Yes, they should be at the memorial. Especially as they are being described as senior royals.

I suspect that the queen has approved them not being present. And if you ask me, if it's ok with the Queen, it should be ok with everybody else. After all, they was HER mother and her sister. Evidently, the queen is satisfied with the work William and Kate are doing for their country.

I am sure the prior commitment must be super important if they can't make it. Hopefully we will find out what it is.

Making the next heir?

And hey: it's just a church service in memory of great-grandmother and great-aunt. It should be up to the family to see who wants to attend. Here in Germany we often have services where nobody or only one member of the family attends, just the priest was asked to pray with the congregation for the late family members. It's a very personal thing, IMHO. No need to make a duty out of it. Especially after being away for 7 weeks and the wife still in need to become a mother to produce heir and spare. Because that is her dynastic job, not attending church services and keep the limelight (even though it's not by purpose) on her instead of the late ladies.

But my, I am glad that Catherine has Camilla and HM as her closest In-laws and not some of the members here.....